Idina Menzel To Return To 'Glee' Next Season For Big Arc

EXCLUSIVE: Rachel Berry’s mom is back. Tony Award winner Idina Menzel is in final negotiations to return to Fox’s musical dramedy Gleein the upcoming third season for a major arc that could span as many as 10-12 episodes. In what is described the only significant cast addition on the show next season, Menzel will reprise her role as Rachel Berry’s (Lea Michele) biological mother Shelby Corcoran, which she originated in 5 episodes of Glee‘s first season. Back then, Shelby was the coach of New Directions’ rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline. She tried to bond with Rachel after Rachel found out that she was her mother but ultimately left town after adopting Quinn and Puck’s baby girl. Next season will see Shelby returning from New York to Ohio to join William McKinley High School as a new teacher and complicating things for Rachel as well as former flame Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison). “I’m really excited the that Idina is joining the family again,” said Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy. “We missed her last year and we’re happy that she is coming back.”